19920331 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.22.24

The following is a lecture given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on March 31st 1992 in Bangalore Karnataka India. The class begins with a reading from the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4th canto 22nd chapter 24th verse.

Translation: A candidate for spiritual advancement must be non-violent, must follow in the footsteps of great ācāryas, must always remember the nectar of the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, must follow the regulative principles without material desire and, while following the regulative principles, should not blaspheme others. A devotee should lead a very simple life and not be disturbed by the duality of opposing elements. He should learn to tolerate them.

Purport: The devotees are actually saintly persons, or sādhus. The first qualification of a sādhu, or devotee, is ahiṁsā, or nonviolence. Persons interested in the path of devotional service, or in going back home, back to Godhead, must first practice ahiṁsā, or nonviolence. A sādhu is described as titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ (Bhāg. 3.25.21): a devotee should be tolerant and should be very much compassionate toward others. For example, if he suffers personal injury he should tolerate it, but if someone else suffers injury, he need need not tolerate it. The whole world is full of violence, and a devotee’s first business is to stop this violence, including the unnecessary slaughter of animals. A devotee is the friend not only of human society but of all living entities, for he sees all living entities as sons of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He does not claim himself to be the only son of God and allow all others to be killed, thinking that they have no soul. This kind of philosophy is never advocated by a pure devotee of the Lord. Suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām: a true devotee is the friend of all living entities. Kṛṣṇa claims in Bhagavad-gītā to be the father of all species of living entities; consequently the devotee of Kṛṣṇa is always a friend of all. This is called ahiṁsā non-voilence Such non-violence can be practiced only when we follow in the footsteps of great ācāryas. Therefore, according to our Vaiṣṇava philosophy, we have to follow the great ācāryas of the four sampradāyas, or disciplic successions.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, it’s a very long purport this is a very informative, very important verse regarding qualifications for a candidate for spiritual advancement. The first qualification was nonviolence.

Śrīla Prabhupāda said that a devotee's first business is to stop violence, including unnecessary slaughter of animals. In this world there is so much violence going on in the name of humanity, in the name of wellbeing of the human beings, they are slaughtering so many animals. This slaughter of animals is not really condemned either in Vedic religion or the Buddhist religion. It’s very highly restricted but in Western religion they came up with the philosophy that animal has no soul. Therefore, there is no sin if you kill an animal, it’s like an animal is, doesn’t exist, no soul.

Of course, they have the societies who are cruel to the animal but we shouldn't be cruel to animals when you kill them it should be painless there is a society like that. But even the society's members many of them are not vegetarian so if Kṛṣṇa Consciousness is understood & practiced by the people in the Western world more completely, then naturally violence to animals & violence to others would decrease. Indirectly we are achieving the same aim as the cruelty to the animal society but we are doing it by giving knowledge that this living entities have a soul. If you forcibly end their presence of the soul in the body which is known as killing them, then you have to take the karma.

The bible actually says thou shalt not kill when Prabhupāda would challenge “why you are killing so many animals”, they would say that's not killing because they have no soul. So you say you murder a human being, you kill an animal; thou shalt not kill means that you don't kill animals but they are not accepting.

So Prabhupāda was pointing out that in the name of dharma these things shouldn't go on, it should be stopped. A devotee tolerates inconvenience for himself but doesn't want to tolerate any inconvenience to others. The second point is to follow the footsteps of the great ācāryas that is explained here by Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Purport (continued): Tying to advance in spiritual life outside the disciplic succession is simply ludicrous. It is said, therefore, ācāryavān puruṣo veda (Chāndogya Upaniṣad 6.14.2) one who follows the disciplic succession of ācāryas knows things as they are. Tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet (Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 1.2.12). In order to understand the transcendental science, one must approach the bonafide spiritual master. The word smṛtyā is very important in spiritual life. Smṛtyā means remembering Kṛṣṇa always.

Jayapatākā Swami: These are the different points in the original verse; 1st was to be nonviolent; 2nd was we have to follow in the footsteps of great ācāryas. So Śrīla Prabhupāda, he gave several quotations, two quotations here how we had to follow the disciplic succession from Chāndogya & Muṇḍaka Upanishads. He explained that we must approach the bonafide spiritual master. Then the next point in the original verse is to always remember the nectar of the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; in this regard Prabhupāda said..

Purport (continued): The word smṛtyā is very important in spiritual life. Smṛtyā means remembering Kṛṣṇa always. Life should be molded in such a way that one cannot remain alone without thinking of Kṛṣṇa. We should remain in Kṛṣṇa, so that while eating, sleeping walking & working we remain only in Kṛṣṇa. Our Kṛṣṇa Consciousness society recommends that we arrange our living so that we can remember Kṛṣṇa. In our ISKCON society for devotees, one engaged in making spiritual sky incense are also hearing about the glories of Kṛṣṇa or his devotees. The śāstra recommends smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇuḥ. Lord Viṣṇu should be remembered always constantly. Vismartavyo na jātucit: Viṣṇu should never be forgotten, that is the way of spiritual life — smṛtyā, the remembrance of the Lord can be continued, if we hear about him constantly, it is therefore recommended in this verse mukundācaritāgrya-sīdhunā.  Sīdhu means nectar. To hear about Kṛṣṇa from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam or Bhagavad-gītā or similar authentic literatures to live in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness; such concentration in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness can be achieved by persons who are strictly following the rules & regulative principles. We have recommended in our Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement that if a devotee chants 16 rounds on beads daily & follow the regulative principles that will help the devotee to spiritually advance in life.  

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the 2 points given, one is... several points are given; one is smṛtyā — remembering other is preaching, other is following regulative principles. We need to remember the Lord always, remember his pastimes, smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇuḥ always remember Viṣṇu.

So many times we forget Viṣṇu, forget Kṛṣṇa & remember so many other things but going to these temples, chanting the Holy names, reading the Shastras, all these are practical means whereby we can remember Kṛṣṇa. When we fully remember Kṛṣṇa, we see so many problems disappear, problems in life are because we are not able to focus on Kṛṣṇa. Once we remember the Lord then we can preach his glories for uplifting the others, it is another way of being nonviolent, saving people from suffering is nonviolent, allowing them to suffer is a form of violence.

Purport (continued): It is also stated in this verse that one can advance by controlling the senses (yamaiḥ). By controlling the senses, one can become a svāmī or gosvāmī. One who is therefore enjoying this supertitle, svāmī or gosvāmī, must be very strict in controlling his senses. Indeed, he must be master of his senses. This is possible when one does not desire any material sense gratification. If, by chance, the senses want to work independently, he must control them. If we simply practice avoiding material sense gratification, controlling the senses is automatically achieved.

Jayapatākā Swami: So here it is explained yamaiḥ akāmair niyamaiś cā by following regulative principles without material desire, by strictly following the rules & regulations. It is not possible to advance spiritually without following rules & regulations.

Many times, we preach to people in the West & they... Now the new age movement is there, people want to advance spiritually but they don't want to follow very many rules & regulations. We met one German devotee while we were coming by train, Michael & he was telling us how he was attracted by different new age philosophy, he thought that it is too difficult to practice Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.

So, he was looking for something easier so this is the nature of the conditioned soul. They are looking for some easy way out but we have to see what will work, all the authorities say that in order to achieve spiritual path we have to control our senses.

Lord Caitanya was most merciful, he delivered fallen souls without any discrimination. Once they took initiations, we expected them to follow very strictly their vows. Sometimes we find in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness today, people have taken initiation vows, they don’t follow them very strictly this is a very big problem. It’s a very big obstacle on their path for spiritual advancement, if we avoid sense gratification automatically the senses are controlled. The next thing that was mentioned in the verse cāpy anindayā, not to criticize others.

Purport (continued): Another important point mentioned in this connection is anindayā — we should not criticize others’ methods of religion. There are different types of religious systems operating under different qualities of material nature. Those operating in the modes of ignorance and passion cannot be as perfect as that system in the mode of goodness. In Bhagavad-gītā everything has been divided into three qualitative divisions; therefore, religious systems are similarly categorized. When people are mostly under the modes of passion and ignorance, their system of religion will be of the same quality. A devotee, instead of criticizing such systems, will encourage the followers to stick to their principles so that gradually they can come to the platform of religion in goodness.  Thus, a devotee should tolerate and learn to stop agitation.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, blaspheming or criticizing others is another important aspect, you don't try to find fault with others. To make our self-seen better, we see how a person can be engaged in God Consciousness, if they are not able to be engaged in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness then Vyāsa Deva was kind enough to give other processes not requiring so much spiritual determination & in conclusion.

Purport (continued): Another feature of the devotee is nirīhayā, simple living. Nirīhā means “gentle,” “meek” or “simple.” A devotee should not live very gorgeously and imitate a materialistic person. Plain living and high thinking are recommended for a devotee. He should accept only so much as he can to keep the material body fit for the execution of devotional service. He should not eat or sleep more than is required. Simply eating for living, and not living for eating, and sleeping only six to seven hours a day are principles to be followed by devotees. As long as the body is there it is subjected to the influence of climatic changes, disease and natural disturbances, the threefold miseries of material existence. We cannot avoid them. Sometimes we receive letters from neophyte devotees questioning why they have fallen sick, although pursuing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. They should learn from this verse that they have to become tolerant (dvandva-titikṣayā). This is the world of duality. Because he has fallen sick, one should not think that he has fallen from Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot continue or can continue without impediment from any material opposition. Lord Kṛṣṇa therefore advises in Bhagavad-gītā (2.14), tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata: “My dear Arjuna, please try to tolerate all these disturbances. Be fixed in your Kṛṣṇa conscious activities.”

Jayapatākā Swami: Bhagavad-gītā 2.14 is also the end of Prabhupāda's translation & purport to the text 24-chapter 22 canto 4 of the Śrīmad Bhagavatam.

So, this simple living, when we travel around in India, we are forced to have simple living, living in the trains or buses or dharmaśālās. When we go on Navadvīpa Parikramā, we live in the tent, we are forced to have a simple living. So this is one of the qualities of a transcendentalist is that simple living. One of the general managers of BHEL, was commenting how nowadays people have become simply mad after comforts. They are thinking the more comforts they get, the         happier they get, but they are missing the real point.

He was actually correct to say that simply going after comforts in life will not give ultimate happiness. This is a big problem in the world today; people have lost their nature of austerity, penance, tolerance. Any little disturbance comes up they become disturbed, they become very affected, agitated so there are so many disturbances. When we leave this body, we are gonna face the most difficult disturbances our voice may be choked up, we may want to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa but instead [Guru Mahārāja making some sound nah nah] just some gurgling sound will come & you will want to do so many things but you will not be able to.

 So in order to be able to fix our mind on Kṛṣṇa we can follow this system of tolerance & simple living. Accepting whatever Kṛṣṇa provides us, people who live in our temple ashrams, actually they accept the most simple life style. This is very beneficial to advancement in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness; living outside in a very luxurious house or an apartment cannot be conducive for one's Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.

So this visit to India teach the devotees to be a little tolerant, so that we can be more fixed in our practice of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. If we are able to cross over very difficult things, crossing over easy things is not difficult, it is a basic principle that we should learn to become very tolerant. We should be able to tolerate all kinds of obstacles that come up. We should be determined in our Kṛṣṇa Consciousness then we can achieve the success in life very easily.

So Lord Caitanya, he appreciated very much when His devotees voluntarily took some  austerities He appreciated the austerities of Sanātana Gosvāmī, He appreciated the austerities of Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī.

Raghunātha Dāsa was the most austere we cannot imitate; many examples are there. So Śrīla Prabhupāda he also appreciated how devotees were taking so many difficulties in distributing books, he showered his blessings on them for doing that service.

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare. 

So, because many other programs, I will end the class very early today.

Any questions?

I don't understand the exact example of how the devotees are joking & pointing out defects. We can advise another devotee under certain circumstances to correct some defect. they have if it’s with the idea of helping that devotee then its considered constructive; or a certain etiquette & protocol which is to be observed if one wants to give such advice to a more senior devotee, that is constructive; if you laugh at someone else that's not very favorable.

Is that alright?

Which is as shown by examples of great devotees, the phalgu-vairāgya, is renouncing something without actually pleasing to Kṛṣṇa. Say that someone say that there are some yogīs they say, I will not touch money, money is dirty, its material, so I won’t touch it so he tells the secretary touch the money. I won’t touch; of course, somehow or other they are touching by cheque book or something but even they are saying money is dirty;

So Prabhupāda he says if you want to give me money for Kṛṣṇa, I am not shy, I will take it with two hands because I will spend it for Kṛṣṇa, we have so much work to do for Kṛṣṇa.

Actually, Prabhupāda was taking but using for Kṛṣṇa, that's real renunciation. If somebody is saying no no I won’t touch money, either its false renunciation or in some cases they are just cheating. They are taking the money but showing themselves to be very renounced, I won’t touch.

So, we have to see practically what’s being used for Kṛṣṇa's service, if something is used in service that's proper renunciation. If we just reject something then it’s too much trouble or because you think its material but it can actually used in Kṛṣṇa's service then that's called phalgu-vairāgya or superficial renunciation. Any other question?

The point is constructive criticism, see that somebody is having spiritual difficulty & if you are just a gossiper & you tell everybody. Guru mahārāja singing sarcastically: so, & so had a fall down so & so had a fall down, look & see look & see like a little kid you know, that may make you feel good but it’s not helping that person, neither it helps other people. If you see that somebody is having difficulty, you go to that person & try to encourage them by begging or preaching. Or by whatever means possible available to go on the right path that is constructive not offensive. If you do it in a proper way & if you see that somebody is off & they are polluting other people. Say someone starts to preach that it’s alright to take drugs once a week you know.

If its light drugs like marijuana or something you know, doesn't really hurt & he starts going & preaching to devotees, you have to tell the devotee this person is fallen. He is not following Prabhupāda's instruction, he is a fallen devotee. So, you shouldn’t listen to him, that you have to do in order to protect the life of others. So, if we do get some criticism, has to be for the higher purpose, are we saving that person or are we protecting others who may be misled by that person. We don't just say it, there are some people they like enjoying talking about people's fall down, say if somebody in other side of the world which nobody ever heard or seen had a fall down & then someone likes to talk about it in some other part of the world, what's the use, what's the benefit anyone is gonna derive, it’s just unnecessarily clutters the mind.

Last question

Anybody hearing what she is saying?

Your answer the question says, eating prasādam is more valuable there are many people. Here in Bangalore there is a famous health clinic, people go there to loose fat mainly & also for other reasons, health reasons. You can pay money & get a nice place & you can fast, go on special fasting program. But those although those people are fasting they are not becoming Kṛṣṇa Conscious.

So just doing austerities is not in itself guarantee one to get any spiritual advancement, you take kṛṣṇa-prasādam. That is also austerity, you are taking a vow not to eat food not offered to Kṛṣṇa, so that's austerity; by eating kṛṣṇa-prasādam.

Bhagavad-gītā explains you get purified from the sins & you get spiritual benefit, by fasting you get some limited purification but not to the extent of taking prasādam. Of course, on some holy days we also fast like Janmāṣṭami, Gaura Pūrṇimā, Narasiṁha Caturdaśī for the pleasure of Viṣṇu. Then at the end we also feast, yesterday was Ekādaśī, you were all fasting. So now today is Dvādaśī, you are not supposed to be fasting.  So, I won’t speak any more. You should take prasādam

Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: Haribol

Second Level Proofer: Karuṇāpati Keśava das

Second Level Proofed on: 16-Feb-2021